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I went there 3 times, each time I stay there for more than 1 hour. Haha, coz I like to KPO here and there. Ya, I know what you mean by paisey. But u need to set a budget first. Easier to screen through...

First Time:First time go, I was very blur, just listen and see what brands they carry, listen to what the salesperson say, and try try the pianos (both upright and grands). Have a rough idea of the prices of the piano, and note down the brands. Hailun 125 caught my ears and pocket already.

Second Time:It was like 3 months before I go the 2nd time. In between, I visited a lot of other piano shops to test and try, and learn how to test and get a feel of what I like. I also went to try the more upclass pianos like Yamaha Grands, Yamaha YUS5 and of coz pianos at Cristofori. I tried 2nd hand pianos, digital pianos. Anything and everything. I bought the Piano Book to read. Once I agar agar shortlist a few. I went to test those I shortlist again. Along the way, there will be some good souls who will teach you a few technical aspects of the piano one. So just pick up along the way. And when I went PianoMaster, I tested the Hailun 122, Hailun 125 and Grotrian (yes, key by key, how hard to press, ask the salesperson to play and listen, I even ask them to open up the piano for me to see).

Third Time:After all the information gathering, I ask the forum folks for their comments. I have a preference already. And when I finally decide, I went down, bargain somemore and buy!

Before I purchased my current used U1, I actually passed by Piano Master and take a look at their pianos. I should say Hailun 125 really has great sound. Unluckily I have not joined this forum, and never heard of this brand at that time. So I do no go for it.

Then another 2nd hand piano shop owner taught me how to check basic piano parts, including seeing how good the solid wood behind.

I'm not sure how long Hailun has come to Singapore, and how's it's quality after years. I wish someone can provide more info on this. As of today, judging from the wood quality of U1, I can understand why this model can always last for long time, and becoming one of the classic model. If Hailun also can maintain the sound quality for long, with it's price, for sure it will become another popular choice.

If you see the back of U1, the pillar is made by thick wood, the board is also made by solid wood totally. For used set, it could looks old, a bit dirty, but shouldn't have crack. New piano will use young wood, where it will take some time to stabilize & season.

However if you compare many other cheaper brand, the back may have only small pillar of wood, or some is not using wood for the board. So you will not see any screw on the board, because it cannot hold the tension or weight of metal plate within. The piano may sounds good in the beginning, however the piano, or the sound may not last, since those material cannot maintain it's quality compare to solid wood.

We went down to Gramercy today, tried out the Wilherm Tell 125, wasn't impressed by it. Don really like the touch, sound, action. It doesn't give us the omph factor. My 6 year old gal felt the same too and also said the keys are too light. Moreover the price is 2k more than Hailun and they only give 5 years warranty, so it's out of our consideration.

Then as we drove, we passed by PianoMaster and went in to try out Hailun again. This time round we had a long chat with the owner Jason. We asked alot and he's patient with us (patient esp when our 3 kids were playing catching in his showroom and meddling with his pianos!).

He showed and explained the different model in the showroom and we learnt quite a fair bit from him. When we played on the HL 125, we were really attracted by the sound and the touch of it. In the showroom, my gal keep saying I like this, can we buy? So in the end, we decided to look no further, and THIS IS THE ONE!!

The model is currently out of stock, but the shipment will be in next week. Yes, we've paid a deposit and are on the waiting list. (Jason actually showed us those invoices that has just been placed and waiting for the shipment to come). So likely we'll receive our piano week after next. He'll inspect each of them and tune personally for the first time during delivery.

So Bihua, we've joined you and believe we'll enjoy when it arrive in our house. I'll take photos but whether can upload?? I'll try cos i'm not very IT savvy..but need to prove i'm genuine customer right? i'll try ok..

I should say both Jason and Cissy (ano lady in the showroom) were nice, so service does play an important part.

Whether a not how long the piano can last, we'll let u know 10 years later!

So for now, let's celebrate for our final closure and get excited for the new piano!! Hip Hip Hurray!!!

sorry to disappoint...funny some ask me if i'm still studying?i asking you mean studying music?no are you still schooling like polytechnic ?? once ppl ask if i finish national service.... haiya..me am old leow

no need to introduce, although i hv secret admire some teachers.. hehehe i always respect teacher, and admire their dedication in the profession, striving to excel the student...

to learn to play the piano, you can buy any of the above chioces.why not just buy a 2nd hand clavinova CLPs for just $500~800 to try out first? the digital sound 70% like a real piano, a beginner cant tell the difference. after a while when you are good a reading music and moving up the skill ladder, you can off load the digital or keep it. playing piano is very siong one leh, not buy first then automatic can play already ok...think about it lor, my 2 cents

I would like to seek some advice on buying a 2nd hand used yamaha u1 (around 30 year-old)imported from japan. Tone sounds alright to me but i am not too sure if the age matters(i.e. will the quality be compromised) Also, can someone let me know what to look out for when buying a used piano?

to learn to play the piano, you can buy any of the above chioces.why not just buy a 2nd hand clavinova CLPs for just $500~800 to try out first? the digital sound 70% like a real piano, a beginner cant tell the difference. after a while when you are good a reading music and moving up the skill ladder, you can off load the digital or keep it. playing piano is very siong one leh, not buy first then automatic can play already ok...think about it lor, my 2 cents

I agree with snoopy! If you are just learning for fun, a Clavinova is actually more fun because of the different sounds it can make. Later, if you decide to pursue classical music seriously, you can then switch to an acoustic piano. I have a grand piano, but still bought a high-end digital because of the effects and other capabilites, e.g. recording/MIDI/

to learn to play the piano, you can buy any of the above chioces.why not just buy a 2nd hand clavinova CLPs for just $500~800 to try out first? the digital sound 70% like a real piano, a beginner cant tell the difference. after a while when you are good a reading music and moving up the skill ladder, you can off load the digital or keep it. playing piano is very siong one leh, not buy first then automatic can play already ok...think about it lor, my 2 cents

I agree with snoopycar. But if money is no issue to u at all, then go for K5 lah but be prepared to loose half should u give up within the next few years or months..

I don know much about 2nd hand piano but heard the comparison of sound between 30 yrs (can't remember kawai or yamaha) and hailun new. 30 yrs one really sound old already (or matured) and the parts are also v old (what to expect right) unless it has been reconditioned.

But if u really keen in 2nd hand, than go get Larry Fines book n read.

to learn to play the piano, you can buy any of the above chioces.why not just buy a 2nd hand clavinova CLPs for just $500~800 to try out first? the digital sound 70% like a real piano, a beginner cant tell the difference. after a while when you are good a reading music and moving up the skill ladder, you can off load the digital or keep it. playing piano is very siong one leh, not buy first then automatic can play already ok...think about it lor, my 2 cents

I agree with snoopy! If you are just learning for fun, a Clavinova is actually more fun because of the different sounds it can make. Later, if you decide to pursue classical music seriously, you can then switch to an acoustic piano. I have a grand piano, but still bought a high-end digital because of the effects and other capabilites, e.g. recording/MIDI/

I definitely would not be quitting. And I would be keeping a piano around anyway, except in the case of an upgrade. Its just I may not play for brief periods due to overseas commitments - but I am ready to practise piano xiong for these 3 months as my schedule is not as packed. I think in the long term view after these 3 months, I would be playing the piano from time to time, and its also a nice house piece - albeit expensive one!

Would a clavinova be appropriate for learning? Like to differentiate sounds and such. Does it have the same touch as at least say a medium weighted one?If so I was thinking of finding a CLPS308.

It seems after looking around opinions are extremely mixed over pianos...Especially between Yamaha and Kawai.

There was a Bohemia at Emmanuel and Sons, 55cm x 144cm x 120cm, 118-Moderna (Serial 66533) going for 2.5k. How old is the thing, according to the serial? The guy didnt know. What do you think of this piano?

A clavinova is appropriate for learning. It certain trumps a lot of the not-so-good pianos out there. Get at least a GH3 or NW keyboard; the difference in touch is significant. The Kawai ones are not too bad too; they actually have wooden keys. I heard good things about the Roland digitals as well. Try them to see how they feel. That being said, they won't feel as good as the pianos on your original list.

Yamaha and Kawais are the workhorses. They have excellent build quality, decent touch, and decent sound. They're also incredibly hardy. Think of them as Toyota and Honda. You rarely go too wrong with them.

Bohemia does make very nice pianos, particularly the new ones. However, I don't know how old that particular model is.

me no dealer lah, me very transparent,just a piano tuner tech with very keen interest in piano.

some guys likes hifi, they also buy n sell through the netlike changing clothes. what i usually do is buy those neglected pianos, put in lots of sweat, end result is a much much beter piano, nice to play on.

sometimes when opportunity comes, i make a decision to buy certain piano which hv some value, actually all pianos hv value, to work on. terribly loose key? just change the key bush. horrible tin can tone? just round the hammers. stuck action, disassemble everything, change the pin... when i'm free

Oh i'm talking about those no frills CLP130 type. the hapsicord voice is good to play JS Bach !!if buy those high end, GH3, thumbdrive... new one, them might as well buy a acoustic piano....

happylucky, basically, if the piano feels right, plays right, price is right, then its a good buy. in truth, there are too many things to go into detail to look out for. one really gets what one pays for. (like buying durian)

For basic playing, PearlRiver 118 or Hailun 125 is good enough.For brand consious consumer, then get new yamaha or kawai.for bargain hunters, go for 2nd good condtion yamaha or kawai.

good piano don't devalue so fast like cars in sinkapore, no coe, no road tax surcharge if more than 10yrs.

ok ok, how many of you pick up piano because Jay Chow plays one ?? huh huh ??

after tuning a piano in a hostel, guess what korean boys plays?Jay Chow secrets..... haiya.........